Saugeen First Nation Elder Shirley John led the Pipe Ceremony and the Water Ceremony as part of the day’s proceedings November 15.

Hub Staff

In a show of solidarity, members of Saugeen First Nation and Neyaashiinigmiing First Nation as well as supporters from neighbouring communities came together on a warm and sunny Tuesday afternoon, November 15, for a Unity Walk in support of the Standing Rock Sioux and their stand against the Dakota Access Pipeline in North Dakota.

Water protectors have been camped out since April, peacefully resisting the over 1,100 metre pipeline that threatens sacred land and the Missouri River, the main water source for the Standing Rock Sioux with many tribes represented. Saugeen First Nation Band Councillor Sonya Roote, who spent two weeks in Standing Rock in September said that at last count there were 280 tribes present in North Dakota but that more had arrived since that time.

In response to a call to action for November 15, put forth by the youth present at Standing Rock, more than 300 rallies and events took place across North America and around the world.

Taking part in the walk, James Kewaquom, an Eagle Staff carrier of Saugeen First Nation, said he carries the staff in honour of his lineage. “It also tells a story, the life story of creation, and the important role we have as keepers of the environment,” he said. “It’s all tied in with respect of life, respect of all the animals, all the water, the sky, everything around us because we are, all of us, are part of this world.”

Gordon Kewageshig, Saugeen First Nation, said he was there in support of brothers and sisters across creation and in support of Mother Earth. “We all rely on Mother Earth and it’s important for all people to know that,” said Kewageshig. “It’s about the human family, and about the survival of the human family. It’s sad that it has to come to something such as this to draw attention to something that’s so central to each and every man, woman and child and four legged, swimmer, flyer, crawler.”

The day got underway at Saugeen First Nation Youth Centre with a Pipe Ceremony conducted by Saugeen First Nation Elder Shirley John. From there, the walk - led by chiefs, eagle staff carriers and flag bearers; and followed by women drummers, singers and jingle dancers - saw people of all ages, from babies in wagons and strollers to elders, even a few dogs and horses, headed south down Highway 21.

With many walkers singing and chanting along the way, the group of nearly 200 met up with a second group of about 100 who had come from the south, from St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Southampton, including the G.C. Huston drum group.

The two groups converged on the bridge that joins Saugeen First Nation with the community of Southampton and Saugeen Shores, ushered in by song performed by the GC Huston drum group and Principal Dan Russell.

Ken Roote, Saugeen First Nation Band Councillor said it was great to see so many people in attendance. “It’s a beautiful day in more ways than one. This is a peaceful rally and this rally was ordered and directed by the youth of Standing Rock, the ones that are on the front lines,” said Roote.

Vernon Roote, former Chief of Saugeen First Nation and current Council Elder offered a prayer for the water before turning the mic over to Saugeen First Nation Chief Lester Anoquot who welcomed everyone to the Saugeen Ojibway territories. He too acknowledged the youth who had inspired the rally, “that your voices are always heard at the table, that our future is our youth and that we value your input and we value the fact that you helped organize this rally today.”

Greg Nadjiwon, visiting Chief of Neyaashiinigmiing, offered an acknowledgement of all the sacred items present as well as the GC Huston singers and the women drummers. He then addressed the recent election south of the border, saying that we have never been in a more drastic situation than we are today. “We can’t go to sleep at the wheel,” said Nadjiwon, later adding, “We’ve now had a neighbouring country elect a person as a leader that wants to deregulate environmental protection. That is a real, real concern.”

Nadjiwon said that for those of us north of the border, “we have to stay on top of our Prime Minister and our leaders, our chiefs, to make sure the dialogue continues and that people’s voices are heard.” He continued. “We’re getting more and more out into our territory, asking people to acknowledge us to being the Indigenous people of the territory and we need to be addressed with every endeavour that goes on in the territory because we are the stewards of the land.”

GC Huston Principal Dan Russell, spoke next on behalf of the Saugeen Shores community. “We asked our students that came today, ‘Why are we doing this?’,” said Russell. “We came up with things like: protecting the environment, making sure that our voices are heard, making sure that any human rights abuses are addressed.” To enthusiastic applause, Russell added, “We stand up for what is right even if it’s not in our back yard.”

Russell talked about Bimaadzwin, the good path. Gesturing to the north and the south, he said, “Today from this side, and from this side, we walked on the good path to meet together as one family, as one community, in support of what is going on in Standing Rock and to support the people of Standing Rock.”

Before participants proceeded from the bridge to Scubby’s Point for a Water Ceremony and tobacco offering, again led by Elder Shirley John, Ken Roote thanked everyone for being there, calling the day “a very good day to be Anishnaabe. I’m proud to be here.”

In an act of solidarity for Standing Rock Sioux in North Dakota, Unity Walk participants walked from the Saugeen First Nation Youth Centre to the bridge at South Rankin Street in Southampton as part of the day’s events November 15.

Hundreds gathered on the bridge between Saugeen First Nation and Southampton on November 15 as part of the Saugeen Unity Walk for Standing Rock.

Saugeen First Nation Chief Lester Anoquot taking part in the Unity Walk November 15.

The GC Huston drum group ushered in the walkers from the north and the walkers from the south on the bridge that links the two communities.

Saugeen First Nation’s Unity Walk for Standing Rock made its way down South Rankin Street to Scubby’s Point for a Water Ceremony and tobacco offering later in the afternoon November 15.

A group from the north and a group from the south came together on the bridge near Scubby’s Point on Highway 21 for the Unity Walk in support of the Standing Rock Sioux in North Dakota.

Greg Nadjiwon, visiting Chief of Neyaashiinigmiing (centre) addressed the crowd of about 300 November 15 while Saugeen First Nation Chief Lester Anoquot (left) and Vernon Roote, former Chief of Saugeen First Nation and current Council Elder (right) stood by.

GC Huston Public School Principal Dan Russell spoke on behalf of the Saugeen Shores community November 15.